12 of the Most Remote Places on Earth That You Can Visit

Find true solitude on a jungle-cloaked Thai island or under the midnight sun in Arctic Norway.

Fact checked by Sarah Cahalan

Looking for a place where you can disconnect from the world and commune with nature? They aren't always easy to get to, but remote destinations are almost always worth the effort. You'll discover peak solitude on secluded islands off of Mexico, Panama, and Chile, or in the quiet valleys of underrated Tajikistan. We're even taking you to the Arctic Circle, where reindeer likely outnumber people.

Whether your idea of a remote reset is a sunny beach, a mountain getaway, or a pilgrimage to the exceptionally secluded White Continent, there's a far-flung locale for you. Plan a visit to one of the planet's most remote places fit for tourists.

Related: 30 Secret Islands to Visit for the Ultimate Secluded Vacation

Savusavu, Fiji

Planted on the remote southern coast of Vanua Levu is Savusavu. The island is known for its outdoor experiences, including first-rate scuba diving at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, kayaking on Salt Lake in Vatudamu, and hiking to see Maroroya Falls. Travelers can reach this verdant destination by flying just over an hour from Fiji’s Nadi International Airport to Savusavu Airport.

Carmen Island, Mexico

The magical Loreto Bay National Park is a biodiverse UNESCO World Heritage site comprising five islands. One of the five, Carmen Island, is nicknamed “white gold” because of its now-defunct salt mine. Look out for barking sea lions on outcroppings near the island as you arrive by boat charter from the mainland of Loreto. Visitors can hire a local adventure outfitter that will provide overnight tents along the beach. Enjoy spectacular scenery with a kayak ride around the island, stargaze without light pollution, and hike to see stunning cliffside views. 

Punta Islita, Costa Rica

Tucked away from the bustling towns of Costa Rica, Punta Islita is located in the province of Guanacaste and is part of one of the world’s five Blue Zones, regions where people live the longest. The destination has beautiful white-sand beaches and bays separated by volcanic rock thought to be 80 million years old. You can take nature walks with Hotel Punta Islita to see creatures like scorpions, howler monkeys, and even golden orb spiders, which hold the record for creating the strongest webs. Punta Islita is a 2.5-hour drive from Guanacaste Airport. 

Bartang Valley, Tajikistan

Nestled in the Pamir Mountain Range, the Bartang Valley is replete with lush, green alluvial plains, turquoise alpine lakes, and raging rivers. Get your blood pumping with adrenaline-boosting activities in the Bartang, like road tripping through the valley and exploring the rugged scenery in all-terrain vehicles. Getting to the valley involves flying into Dushanbe and accessing the mountains in four-wheel-drives via a side road from the Pamir Highway. Activities include overnight hiking in the Jizeu Valley and trekking to the popular Sarez Lake. 

Ko Rawi, Thailand

With rugged old-growth jungle and only a handful of hiking trails, Ko Rawi is a remote island located in Thailand’s Tarutao National Park. It’s accessible only by boat from nearby islands like Ko Lipe, and there aren’t any accommodations on the island. The tropical haven is ideal for travelers looking to snorkel or swim along white-sand beaches and mangrove forests.  

Bastimentos, Panama

Accessed only by water taxi from the larger island of Colón, Bastimentos is one of nine islands that belong to the Bocas del Toro archipelago. The action-packed island allows visitors to spot seahorses sleeping on coral while diving, see and hear monkeys and sloths feasting on leaves in the tree canopies, and kayak through the mangrove trees at Crawl Cay, a shallow channel on the tip of the island. One of the most popular reasons for visiting is to see the inch-long, endemic red frogs found all over the island, especially in the forested areas of the Red Frog Beach Island Resort.

Abia State, Nigeria

A bustling region in the eastern part of Nigeria, Abia State can be reached by bus or by flying into Owerri Airport in neighboring Imo State (just an hour by air from Lagos) and driving in. The local produce markets — where you can shop for goods like yams, bananas, and greens — are among the area’s best attractions. You can also hail a keke (a Nigerian tuk tuk) to tour the area and see the everyday life of the local Igbo people — keep an eye out for masquerade festivals during the holiday seasons.  

Chiloé, Chile

Chiloé, a remote Pacific island off the coast of Chile, is known for colorful, pastel palafitos (stilt houses on the water) and beautiful countryside. The island produces large amounts of wool and salmon and is regarded as the birthplace of the country’s salmon industry.  Visitors can reach the island by flying into the city of Castro or taking a 30-minute ferry ride from the mainland. 

Longyearbyen, Norway

Located in the isolated Svalbard archipelago, the town of Longyearbyen is known as one of the most beautiful places in Scandinavia, thanks in part to the midnight sun and northern lights that illuminate night skies for much of the year. Despite its remote Arctic location, Longyearbyen has much to offer tourists, including dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice caving, and more. You can get a direct flight to this remote city from Tromsø.   

Saaremaa, Estonia

The tucked-away Baltic country of Estonia boasts the rural and idyllic island of Saaremaa. It has a bit of everything: You can explore quaint beaches, a lighthouse, and even a large medieval castle that towers over the town of Kuressaare. Visitors can book a stay at Pilguse Residency, which dates back to 1558 and is surrounded by gorgeous lakes and untouched nature. The easiest way to reach the island is via a 30-minute ferry ride from the mainland harbor of Virtsu.

Great North Woods, New Hampshire

Packed with serene and rugged wilderness, New Hampshire’s Great North Woods lies just north of the White Mountains and south of Quebec. After road tripping from Canada or southern New Hampshire, you can kayak, canoe, paddleboard, hike in Weeks State Park, and overnight at cabins like the Tall Timber Lodge in Pittsburg, the northernmost town in New Hampshire. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like moose, deer, bald eagles, and rare birds.

Deception Island, Antarctica

Located on a caldera brewing with geothermal energy, Deception Island is almost as remote as it gets. There aren't hotels or roads on this island, and you can get there only via cruise ship. The island is home to black-bellied storm petrels, seals, and penguins that you can spot as you explore its black-sand beaches and hot springs.

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